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The multi-billion naira 21-storey smart building constructed by the Akwa State government is yet to be occupied by tenants four years after its inauguration.
The intelligent building, initiated by Udom Emmanuel’s administration, was constructed by VKS Construction Company, and was commissioned in March 2021, as a deliberate government intervention to support and encourage oil companies, including ExxonMobil, to relocate their corporate headquarters to the state.
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Recall that at a gala night organised by Emmanuel’s administration in honour of a delegation of stakeholders in the oil industry led by former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the former governor stated that his administration would continue to support such relocation within available resources.
The former governor had said: “We are ready to support the relocation. ExxonMobil is a very difficult corporate citizen, but the minister can give them a directive to come.
“They process over 15 billion barrels of crude from our shores, and that alone should propel them. They don’t have such excellent production anywhere in the world.”
It was gathered that despite Emmanuel’s commitment and persuasions, ExxonMobil and other oil companies did not show any interest in relocating their corporate head offices to the state.
Investigation has revealed that Governor Umo Eno has been urged to donate part of the building to the Bank of Industry (BOI) and open up other spaces for interested tenants to occupy.
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